The transition from Summer A to Summer B at UF has its ups and downs for local businesses. Although many students return home, incoming freshmen continue to keep Gainesville lively.
Doby Gray, textbook manager at Gator Textbooks Inc., in Gainesville, said the number of school supplies sold for Summer B was fewer than that for Summer A.
“Business is lower for Summer B,” Gray said. “But the first week of business was right where it was anticipated to be.”
The first week of Summer A was busier because Summer C started then, too, he said.
But Matthew Turner, the owner of clothing store Wolfgang, said his store has experienced increased business in the past two weeks.
“There’s always a boost in business from Summer B,” Turner said. “Freshmen and other students come back Summer B, so you get a little bit of your clientele back.”
Nicholas Smith, general manager at The Swamp Restaurant, agreed.
“Summer B usually has about a 15 to 20 percent increase in business compared to Summer A,” Smith said.
Summer B usually brings new and returning students who are already familiar with the restaurant or have at least heard of it, he said.
The fluctuation in business from Summer A to Summer B is typically the same every year, although this year The Swamp is hoping for a higher outcome now that it is serving breakfast, Smith said.
Henri Girl Boutique, a clothing store that opened in March, has also experienced a change in business with the summer semester change, said assistant manager Alix Kissinger.
“Summer B is looking to have higher sales than Summer A,” Kissinger said. “There has already been an increase of sales this last week or two.”
Kissinger said she believes the uptick in sales is most likely due to the wave of freshmen.
Sierra Saey, 23, a graduate counselor education student who did her undergraduate at UF, also noted the amount of incoming freshmen Summer B.
“I’ve lived in Gainesville for five-plus years,” Saey said. “Each summer there is definitely a noticeable amount of incoming freshmen who liven up the streets of Gainesville.”
